We’re over the hump and on to the last half of Buffalo Trace’s “Single Oak Project” experiment. Now two years into the four year experiment, with this ninth round of experimental, single-barrel Bourbons we hope to find the Holy Grail of just what is responsible for the perfect glass of whiskey.

This round looks at the same variables as round eight, considering the effect of recipe (rye vs. wheat, which so far has been tested in every round), wood grain (tight/average/course), and tree cut (top or bottom of tree). The other variables in this round remain the same, though all are different from the standards in round eight — warehouse (concrete), entry proof (125), char level (#3), and stave seasoning (6 months).

All told this was the Single Oak Project’s least successful round, or one of them. Something about this combination — perhaps the lower char level and high entry proof — made for a lot of overly astringent, overly woody whiskeys. Sweetness was generally lacking, with precious few exceptions.

Buffalo Trace hasn’t released any new information about what barrels are in the lead in aggregate ratings on the Single Oak website. Nonetheless, here’s how we feel about the latest round of hooch.